Description

This recipe provides a simple, incredibly flavorful homemade ketchup using tomato paste, crafted in minutes for a vibrant, zesty condiment perfect for family-friendly meals. It’s a healthy, preservative-free alternative to store-bought ketchup, designed for easy preparation and deep flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

300 g (10.6 oz) tomato paste
240 ml (1 cup) filtered water
120 ml (0.5 cup) white vinegar
60 ml (0.25 cup) pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics and Build Flavor: In a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion powder and garlic powder, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant (do not burn). Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to deepen its flavor and color.
Deglaze, Combine and Simmer: Pour in the white vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the filtered water, maple syrup, 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, dry mustard powder, fine sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to your desired consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon).
Blend and Adjust: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully transfer the hot ketchup to a blender (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot). Blend on high until completely smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (more salt or sweetness). If too thin, return to saucepan and simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

Notes

Pour the finished ketchup into a clean, airtight jar or bottle. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature before refrigerating. The flavor will deepen as it chills, and it stores well in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can swap white vinegar for apple cider vinegar, or maple syrup for brown sugar or erythritol for a low-carb version. Organic tomato paste can help avoid pesticides.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Condiment
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 g)
Calories: 40 calories
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 2.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: homemade ketchup, tomato paste, easy ketchup, healthy condiment, family-friendly, low-carb, meal prep, quick cooking, gluten-free, dairy-free